Spain’s prime minister has defended his government’s position on Palestine, arguing that Madrid’s approach, once criticised at home and abroad, has steadily attracted wider international backing. Speaking during the annual review of his government’s record, Pedro Sánchez said recent developments had confirmed that Spain’s decision-making was aligned with both international law and humanitarian responsibility.

Sánchez recalled that Spain moved early to recognise the State of Palestine following the launch of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023. At the time, the decision was met with strong opposition from political rivals and diplomatic pressure from allies. More than a year on, he noted, other states have taken comparable steps, signalling what he described as a broader shift in international attitudes. “Time has proved us right,” he said, dismissing earlier criticism as lacking empathy for a population enduring mass suffering.

The Spanish leader also highlighted concrete measures adopted by his government, including a permanent embargo on arms exports to Israel and increased humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. He framed these actions as part of a coherent foreign policy rooted in multilateralism, consistency and solidarity, insisting that Spain could not remain neutral in the face of widespread civilian deaths and the destruction of an entire society.

Madrid has additionally condemned the sharp rise in settler violence in the occupied West Bank and supported legal scrutiny of Spanish companies accused of unauthorised dealings linked to Israel. For Sánchez, these steps reflect a commitment to accountability and the rule of law, both domestically and internationally.

Since October 2023, Gaza has witnessed unprecedented devastation, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed, most of them women and children, and vast areas reduced to rubble. Despite repeated announcements of ceasefires, deadly violations have continued, reinforcing concerns that the genocidal war persists with little effective restraint. Against this backdrop, Sánchez argued that Spain’s position is not an outlier but part of an emerging international conscience.